There are multiple descriptions and definitions of transition of care, and a wide variety of models designed to improve the process.

In Part 1 of The Post Hospitalization Conundrum, I noted that research consistently shows that ineffective management of care transitions poses risks to patients. In Part 2, we look at three models and approaches to care management and their outcomes.

Cultivating a culture of patient safety might seem like a dauntingly ambitious goal, but the rewards can be huge. No transformation is more essential to engaging the hearts and minds of health care professionals, effecting and sustaining improvement, revitalizing the workplace and turning the tide of ongoing patient safety epidemic, and there is much leadership can do to support this transformation.

Ideal risk reduction strategies will focus on the transition process from the inpatient to the outpatient setting.

Having members of your care team “shadow” a patient through the process of receiving care can help identify ways to improve the patient experience and increase efficiency.